The U.S. Embassy in Kingston is rejecting an assertion made by Jamaica’s National Security Minister, Dr Horace Chang, that the body cameras the US government donated to the Jamaica Constabulary Force, JCF, were faulty.
Dr. Chang made the claim while speaking on Nationwide @ 5 just under two weeks ago.
The National Security Minister told our News Centre the government of Jamaica is in the process of procuring suitable body cameras for the police force.
This is what the National Security Minister said about the body cameras the US government donated to the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
[audio_mp3 url=”https://nationwideradiojm.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Chang-on-bodycams-August-20-2018.mp3″]
In a statement late last week, the US Embassy responded to the National Security Minister.
The Embassy says it regrets the inaccuracy of the suggestion that the devices had malfunctioned.
It also says the US government has an extensive history of providing support to the JCF in a number of areas including training and equipment.
The Embassy says this has been done through its Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement.
According to the embassy in Kingston, it should be noted that the U.S. government prides itself on the level and quality of support it provides, not only to the JCF, but to all its partners in Jamaica.
The Embassy says in this instance, the US government donated top-of-the-line body cameras, valued at approximately USD$350,000, to the JCF.
It says this is to support police accountability and build stronger relationships with the communities that they serve and protect.
The Embassy says it also provided training for 80-members of the police force on how to properly use the body cameras.
According to the Embassy, 60 of those trained were from the Kingston East; Kingston Central and St. Andrew Central police divisions in the Corporate Area.
Another 20 JCF members from the Freeport Police Station in the St. James police division also received training.
According to the Embassy, security cooperation between the U.S. and Jamaica is one of the pillars of the U.S.-Jamaica bilateral relationship.
The U.S. Embassy says it has consistently provided and will continue to provide the highest quality and level of support to its Jamaican partners.
On August 10, National Security Minister, Dr. Horace Chang, said efforts are underway to obtain new body-cameras which are compatible with the JCF uniform.
He says the new body cams will be assigned to the newly formed Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch of the Constabulary set to be launched this month.
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